I have to change my CS order. Will this effect a custody battle?

[ksmyrfam]

My income dropped by 1/3 due to the housing market.  It has been this way for over a year.  I need to drop the Child Support a bit.  It will go fot $973 amonth to $775 a month.  I am going to go for 50/50 custody in April of 2009.  Will changing the CS amount effect changing the custody agreement?

Thanks for the help

[Giggles]

Child support and Custody are 2 seperate matters.

Why are you waiting nearly a year to go for 50/50?

[ksmyrfam]

The order was modified in April of 2006.  We have to wait the 3 year period before we can modify.  I did get more time then I had before.  Next year the kids will be even older so I should be able to get 50/50.  I am actually glad for the wait.  I am saving money and making a list of everything I would like changed and why.  

Do you have any suggestions to help me prepare for the fight?

[Kitty C.]

Maybe I'm wrong here, but it sounds like you're confusing CS with custody and they are two completely separate issues.  Many states have 2-3 year waiting periods for CS modifications...which keeps vindictive custodial parents from constantly requesting modifications.  In my state (IA), there also MUST be a 10% change (+/-) in either parent's income to warrant seeking modification.

As for changing a custody agreement, once you have an original order, you MUST have a 'significant change of circumstance' for the child(ren) in order to warrant seeking a change in the current order.  And even that, it's a crap shoot if you would get anything positive out of it.